I REFER to Joshua Taylor’s report on the proceedings at the Stretton Parish Council meeting (Burton Mail, January 12) The report is a true and fair representation.
However, I think it is important for readers of the Burton Mail to know that my criticism of Councillor Liz Staples was not unprovoked.
In an attempt to be fair to Councillor Staples, prior to the council meeting on January 10 I had written an open letter to her highlighting a number of statements that had been attributed to her in the Burton Mail.
In my opinion, some of the statements made were misleading while others I believe were factually incorrect or without foundation.
Also provided in this letter was historical information which clearly confirmed that the present crisis in primary education did not just happen.
It was produced directly from a complete and utter failure on the part of the Staffordshire County Council, in 2004, to correctly interpret the statistical information available to it and, instead of increasing primary school places, it adopted a policy which actually reduced them.
I received no reply to my letter, not even an acknowledgement, so given that a planning application for the proposed new primary school had been submitted, I felt that I had no alternative but to take the course of action I adopted at the parish council meeting of January 10.
It is my personally held view that councillors elected to parish, borough or county councils have a primary responsibility to their electorate.
Any other political responsibilities bestowed upon them while in office are secondary.
I base this view on the fact that, without being elected to office in the first place, they would not be available or eligible to accept secondary responsibilities.
Ken Green Longbow Grove, Stretton
